At least in the current Great Han Dynasty, the existence of Soul Emergence Realm Cultivators is absolutely not to be underestimated, let alone a massive number of over a hundred.
The more than one hundred Shadow Puppets in Qing Chen's hands are already completely sufficient for him to establish a major force.
In less than two days since binding the System, he has already spawned over a hundred Soul Emergence Realm Puppet enforcers. What about the time after that?
Qing Chen couldn't help but boldly speculate: as Han Qingyue's icy heart gradually melts for him and occupies an increasing proportion, is it possible to spawn Quasi-Emperor or even Great Emperor Realm Puppets?
Anticipation! Utter anticipation!
If he can really spawn a massive advantage where Quasi-Emperors are as common as dogs and Great Emperors are everywhere, what is there to fear from the protagonist?
Afterward, Qing Chen collected his thoughts, intending to find a random place to pass the time, waiting for Han Qingyue and Han Cheng, the father and daughter, to finish their private conversation and emerge from the Royal Study.
Meanwhile, inside the Royal Study, due to guilt, Han Cheng found it impossible to be as relaxed as usual when alone with Han Qingyue.
After a long while, he finally managed to squeeze out a sentence, asking, "Han Qinyue, how does he treat you? Has he not bullied you?"
Han Qingyue shook her head, "My husband treats me very well; he accommodates me in every way and protects me."
'Husband...'
Han Cheng was first stunned, then reacted, "That's good, that's good."
He then changed the subject, saying, "I didn't expect this Young Master to have been hiding his true abilities all along, deceiving me and everyone else."
"At such a young age, he is already a Golden Core Realm Cultivator. His future prospects are limitless. After today, I'm afraid those Sects will be scrambling to invite him to join."
Thinking of this, Han Cheng suddenly felt fortunate to have taken such a son-in-law.
Otherwise, if he were to truly grow and stand on the opposing side, he would be far more terrifying than a powerful minister like Qing Xiong!
"Father Emperor, please rest assured. Your daughter trusts him. Since he said he would not be an enemy of Great Han, he will surely do it." Han Qingyue's words implied that her perception of Qing Chen had completely changed, and she held a significant amount of trust in him.
No matter what the world thought, in Han Qingyue's eyes, Qing Chen was no longer the profligate Young Master who only indulged in debauchery and hedonism.
"Mm, I, your father, am also willing to believe him." Han Cheng always felt that a certain distance had grown between himself and Han Qingyue, making it impossible for them to be as intimately close as before.
Trying to put himself in Han Qingyue's shoes, Han Cheng was not incapable of understanding her emotions.
As a father, Han Cheng could only do his utmost to try and compensate Han Qingyue.
He not only bestowed upon Han Qingyue and Qing Chen a grand residence named Qingyun, of a princely standard, complete with dozens of servants, but also enough gold, silver, and jewels for them to live lavishly their entire lives, all as a dowry.
Han Qingyue accepted everything without refusal.
She clearly understood that these things were not only given to her but also to Qing Chen.
Hesitating to speak, Han Qingyue had initially thought she would have endless things to say to Han Cheng, just like before.
The facts proved her wrong; she and Han Cheng both felt that an invisible, intangible barrier had emerged between them.
She realized that, deep down, she still harbored some resentment towards her father, Han Cheng, for why he had so decisively chosen to sacrifice her to preserve the Family and the Dynasty.
She realized that she also yearned for Han Cheng to stand outside his role as a monarch and, from a father's perspective, be selfish for her, his daughter, just once.
Subsequently, realizing there was nothing more to say, Han Qingyue chose to take her leave, citing Qing Chen waiting for her outside.
Watching Han Qingyue's retreating back, Han Cheng raised his hand and said, "Han Qinyue, take care of yourself. If you need anything or feel wronged, you can always return. Father will certainly uphold justice for you!"
"Thank you, Father Emperor."
After speaking, Han Qingyue left the Royal Study, and the eunuch softly closed the door.
Han Qingyue looked at the old eunuch guarding the door and asked, "Eunuch Li, have you seen where my husband went?"
"Replying to Princess, this old servant saw the Imperial Son-in-Law walk that way." Eunuch Li raised a hand and pointed.
Han Qingyue acknowledged him and walked away in the direction Eunuch Li pointed...
After walking for not long, as Han Qingyue peered out, she saw Qing Chen at the end of the corridor.
Han Qingyue recognized him by his silhouette at a glance.
Just as Han Qingyue was about to call out to Qing Chen, before the words could leave her mouth, Qing Chen's cold voice was the first to transmit, "You've been following for so long, are you still not planning to show yourself?"
Han Qingyue was slightly startled.
Clap, clap, clap!
Before she could react, a round of applause immediately followed, "Young Master has good eyesight, truly worthy of the title Prodigy."
...Seeing someone walk out from behind a pillar, Han Qingyue swallowed the words she was about to say.
Based solely on his profile, Han Qingyue had no impression of him, yet she could feel a very powerful Cultivator aura emanating from him.
"To kill me?" Qing Chen asked directly.
"Smart." The man smiled sinisterly, "If Young Master gives up resisting and obediently accepts death, I can make your departure easier, with less suffering."
"This is the Imperial Palace. If you kill someone in the Imperial Palace, where do you place the Martial Emperor's dignity?" Qing Chen asked again.
"Such matters don't trouble Young Master's mind." The man took out a sharp Magic Treasure.
Qing Chen's words did remind him that this was the Imperial Palace, and he had to act quickly.
"Golden Core Peak? No wonder you dare to attack me." According to Qing Chen's judgment, this person's background should be the same as the group of masked assassins who tried to ambush him on the street earlier.
'Golden Core Realm Peak?!'
Hearing these five words, Han Qingyue felt a strong sense of danger.
Although she had not stepped onto the Cultivation Dao, she knew that even a small Realm difference, without Magic Treasures or Cultivation Technique assistance, was an unbridgeable chasm for Cultivators.
Let alone a difference of several small Realms.
Golden Core Realm and Golden Core Realm Peak, who was stronger and who was weaker, was clear at a glance.
Realizing the danger, Han Qingyue decided to turn back and inform her Father Emperor, asking him to dispatch powerful Cultivators from the royal Family to support Qing Chen!
It was completely subconscious; she didn't even consider whether Qing Chen dying at the man's hands now would be beneficial or harmful to her.
But then, a sentence from Qing Chen made Han Qingyue stop in her tracks.
"Golden Core Realm Peak is very strong, but to kill me, you are not qualified enough."
If these words had come from someone else's mouth, Han Qingyue would definitely suspect that the other party was putting on an act.
But coming from Qing Chen's mouth, Han Qingyue surprisingly harbored no doubt at all in the first instance.
She was curious, what kind of methods would Qing Chen use?
"Not qualified enough?" Qing Chen's single sentence made the man laugh, unable to maintain his aloof demeanor.
He convinced himself in his heart not to care about the dying barks of a person about to die!
Facing the man who approached with a sword, radiating intense killing intent, Qing Chen calmly opened his System panel and selected Shadow Puppet.